Moving from Rialto, CA to Elizabeth, NJ
A 2741 mi cross-country move between Rialto and Elizabeth is 48h 48m on paper and typically three to five days in practice, through 12 states. Nearly every household line — rent, taxes, climate, commute — usually shifts. This page assembles the federal and Zillow data to make those differences visible on a single screen.
2741 mi · 48h 48m by car · NJ → PA → OH → IN → IL → IA → NE → CO → UT → AZ → NV → CA
Distance & route
| Route through | NJ → PA → OH → IN → IL → IA → NE → CO → UT → AZ → NV → CA |
|---|---|
| Primary highways | I 80, I 70, I 80 EXPRESS |
| Major cities en route | New York, Newark, Jersey City, Yonkers, Paterson |
Route via OSRM driving profile. Actual time varies with traffic and season.
Cost of living
| Rialto | Elizabeth | U.S. avg | |
|---|---|---|---|
| All items (RPP) | 106.442 | 112.563 | 100.0 |
| Rents | 148.641 | 127.018 | 100.0 |
| Goods | 101.431 | 110.261 | 100.0 |
| Services | 129.312 | 148.616 | 100.0 |
Elizabeth runs about 5.8% more expensive overall than Rialto — RPP 106.442 → 112.563.
Source: BEA Regional Price Parities (MSA-level · MSA-level); 2024.
Housing prices
Homes in Elizabeth run about 5.8% cheaper — ZHVI $588,566 → $534,667 (2026-03).
YoY change: Rialto -0.8%, Elizabeth +3.3%. Snapshot: 2026-03. Data provided by Zillow.
Climate
| 1991–2020 normals | Rialto | Elizabeth |
|---|---|---|
| Annual avg temperature | 67°F | 56°F |
| January avg low | 44°F | 26°F |
| July avg high | 94°F | 87°F |
| Annual snowfall | 0.0" | 31.5" |
| Annual precipitation | 9.9" | 46.6" |
Annual temperature drops 11.1°F moving to Elizabeth per NOAA normals.
Significant snow at the destination: Elizabeth sees 31.5 in a year on NOAA normals — budget for winter gear and plowing.
Source: NOAA U.S. Climate Normals 1991–2020 (stations: RIVERSIDE CITRUS EXP, CA US, NEWARK INTL AP, NJ US).
Demographics
| ACS 5-year 2023 | Rialto | Elizabeth |
|---|---|---|
| Population | 103,866 | 135,887 |
| Median household income | $85,521 | $63,874 |
| Median age | 31.8 | 35.8 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 9.2% | 9.8% |
| Avg household size | 3.87 | 2.96 |
Elizabeth households earn about 5.8% less than Rialto at the median — $85,521 → $63,874 on ACS 2023.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-year 2023.
Jobs & wages
Top occupations in Elizabeth MSA
| Occupation | Employment | Median wage |
|---|---|---|
| Office and Administrative Support Occupations | 1,165,200 | $50,760 |
| Sales and Related Occupations | 806,590 | $46,160 |
| Transportation and Material Moving Occupations | 755,900 | $44,800 |
| Healthcare Support Occupations | 755,280 | $37,670 |
| Business and Financial Operations Occupations | 725,930 | $100,940 |
Source: BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Moving between California and New Jersey
State income-tax top marginal rates are from the Tax Foundation, updated annually. Check New Jersey's DMV for the current deadline to transfer driver license and vehicle registration after establishing residency. Consult a tax professional for your specific filing situation — state tax treatment depends on residency, sourcing, and reciprocity agreements.
Best time to move
Moving companies typically charge 20–30% more between Memorial Day and Labor Day (peak season). October through April offers the lowest rates and better mover availability.
To avoid mid-semester school transfers, most U.S. families schedule moves between mid-June and mid-August. Public school calendars typically run late August or early September through late May or early June.
Winter driving along this route
- The Pennsylvania Turnpike between Pittsburgh and Harrisburg can see chain requirements in heavy winter storms.
- Mountain passes on I-70 west of Denver and on I-25 near Raton can close for snow November through April — check CDOT alerts before departure.
- I-80 through Parleys Canyon and I-70 through the San Rafael Swell see winter closures; I-15 north of Salt Lake can slow in storms.
- I-17 and I-40 through the Flagstaff area can see winter closures; the rest of Arizona is generally clear year-round.
- I-80 east of Reno and US-50 across the Sierra can require chains in winter storms.
- Donner Pass (I-80) and Tejon Pass (I-5 Grapevine) see chain requirements and occasional closures December through March.
State DOT 511 phone or web services provide real-time road conditions year-round.
Packing & arrival checklist
- You are moving to a much snowier climate — Elizabeth averages 31.5 in annually vs 0.0 in at origin. Don't bury the winter gear in a hard-to-reach box.
- You are moving to a noticeably colder climate (11.1°F lower annual average). Thermal layers, insulated boots, and a heavier winter coat should ride in the car, not the truck.
- Arrange utility connection (power, internet, gas, water) two weeks ahead of move-in.
- Update mailing address with USPS change-of-address within the first week post-move.
- Register to vote in New Jersey after establishing residency.
Frequently asked
How much do homes cost in Elizabeth compared to Rialto?
Zillow ZHVI (2026-03) puts the typical home value at $534,667 in Elizabeth vs $588,566 in Rialto — a 9.2% lower figure. Data provided by Zillow Research.
When is the best time to move from Rialto to Elizabeth?
Moving companies usually charge 20–30% less between October and April (off-peak). Memorial Day through Labor Day is peak pricing. For a 2741 mi drive, weather on the route matters too — see the timing section above for state-specific winter warnings.
How does household income compare in Rialto vs Elizabeth?
Median household income on the Census ACS 5-year (2023) is $63,874 in Elizabeth vs $85,521 in Rialto — a 25.3% lower figure. Compare this against the cost-of-living gap above when budgeting.
Is Elizabeth more expensive than Rialto?
Based on BEA Regional Price Parities (2024), overall price level in Elizabeth is 5.8% higher than Rialto (112.563 vs 106.442, U.S. average = 100). Rent and services typically carry most of this gap.
What is the climate difference between Rialto and Elizabeth?
On NOAA 1991–2020 normals, annual average temperature is 55.5°F in Elizabeth vs 66.6°F in Rialto (11.1°F colder). Annual snowfall: 31.5 in vs 0.0 in. Annual precipitation: 46.6 in vs 9.9 in.
How far is Elizabeth, NJ from Rialto, CA?
The driving distance is 2741 mi and the route typically takes 48h 48m via I 80 and I 70. The trip crosses 12 state(s). Actual time varies with traffic and season.
How does the job market in Elizabeth compare to Rialto?
BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics show median wages of $59,390 in the Elizabeth MSA vs $47,450 in the Rialto MSA, on total employment of 9,495,240 and 1,661,860 respectively. Top occupations on the destination side appear in the Jobs & wages section above.
Plan the move
Estimate costs with our moving cost calculator, or see where else to move from Rialto.
City profiles: Rialto, CA · Elizabeth, NJ.